Copyright Page
2012 by Linda Evans Shepherd
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Spire edition published 2016
Previously published under the title When You Need a Miracle
Ebook edition created 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-0331-8
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled AMP are from the Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled TLB are from The Living Bible , copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Some names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
Endorsements
Im a woman who needs a God-sized miracle in a family situation. Lindas book gave me all of the tools for asking, waiting, and receiving extraordinary answers to prayernot always in the way I was expectingbut with life-changing, transformational results. Read this book and you will agree that miracles still happen.
Carol Kent, speaker and author of Between a Rock and a Grace Place
If youve ever questioned if miracles exist today, once youve read this documentary on Lindas life and those of reputable people who can prove that miracles are factual, you will no longer have doubts. In fact, you might be able to document the everyday miracles in your life. Linda even gives us assurance and encouragement when the miracles we want and pray for dont happen. This practical, easy-to-read, in-depth book eases our fears about miracles, shows us how to ask and expect miracles, and strengthens our faith as we wait for them to happen. Dont miss the opportunity to be informed, refreshed, and inspired by this book of sweet refuge into a life of realizing that miracles (not magic) happen in our lives.
Thelma Wells, DD (Hon), president of a Woman of God Ministries and an AWSA Lifetime Achievement Award winner
Praise for Linda Evans Shepherd
[Linda] does not share pat answers, she shares truth that will transform your life.
LeAnn Thieman, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Christian Womans Soul and Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2
Navigating through lifes tough places, holding on to hope in the face of hopelessness, searching for purposes in our lives through the dialogue of prayerthis is the theme and gift Linda offers. Read and be encouraged through Lindas highly personal and powerful insight. She teaches us to fearlessly hold tight to the lifeline of powerful, practical interaction with our God.
Bonnie Keen, author, speaker, recording artist
In her new book, Linda reminds us that we can still expect miracles, we can still hear Gods voice, and our prayers really make a difference. With so many diluted versions of the gospel around today, it is refreshing to see such genuine faith. Thank you, Linda.
Shirley Rose, author; cohost, Aspiring Women Television
Dedication
For my brother, Jimmy, and his wonderful wife, Mary, and their children, J.T. and Elizabeth
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus.
(1 Cor. 1:4 NKJV)
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Foreword by Don Piper
Acknowledgments
1. Need a Miracle?
2. The Trust Factor
3. The Love Factor
4. The Truth Factor
5. The Forgiveness Factor
6. What Hinders Our Prayers?
7. Fighting the Enemy
8. More Strategies for Fighting the Enemy
9. The Praise Factor
10. The Sold Out Factor
11. The Next Step Principle
13. The Miracle of It All
Conclusion
Readers Guide
Notes
About the Author
Other Books by Linda Evans Shepherd
Back Ads
Back Cover
Foreword
Some twenty-first-century folks seem to think that miracles ended when the canon of the Bible was closed. Yes, they believe that in the Bible a donkey really did talk, a sea really got parted, Jews walked across on dry ground in search of the Promised Land, Jairuss daughter was raised from the dead, and Jesus ascended into heaven right in front of his followers. I agree that all those things actually happened. What I dont agree with is the contention that God is not in the miracle business today.
In Linda Evans Shepherds new book, How to Pray When You Need a Miracle , she drives this point home with forthrightness and refreshingly transparent honesty. Her illustrations are relevant and encouraging.
Any book that begins with the promise If you read this book until the end, you will experience miracles had better deliver, and this one does. Linda speaks with the depth of experience of one who has needed miracles in her life. She asks, How are we ever going to learn to walk on water if an occasional toilet doesnt overflow?
But the takeaway from How to Pray When You Need a Miracle isnt just that the author overcame setbacks and even, some would say, tragedies. Its a primer on seeking a miracle from God.
And like many things, its almost as important to know what does not work as what does. One of the things I like most about this book is that it pulls no punches about the reason bad things happen in the first place. Linda is very frank about trying to get God to perform for us. Many tried to get Jesus to do amazing things when he walked the earth, just to see a miracle. Its not that God is stingy with his miracles. I think hes prudent. Hes God. Indeed, God says no to our prayers when it serves his divine purpose.